Software Review- Sebran’s ABC Version 1.37
License Type: Freeware
System Requirements: Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000 or XP
Available at: http://www.download.com/Sebran-s-ABC/3003-2132_4-10314080.html
This nifty little free program comes with a dozen games that teach elementary-age kids important skills including math, reading and typing. It takes just a few minutes to download and install the program. The only bad thing I can say about the program is the background music may be a bit annoying to most adults (it was for me). Kids will probably love it though (my son did). To solve this
problem I simply muted the sound on my laptop.
The program has a really simple interface with a black background and vibrant colors. Best of all it’s self-correcting. Your child can run the program while you do other things. When your child selects the correct answer a smiley face is revealed. If incorrect, he will be met with a frown but can try again until he selects the correct answer.
I tried out all the activities the night I installed it and had my five-year-old try most of them the following morning. The only exceptions were the multiplication, hangman and 1+2 rain activities. He’s just a bit too young for the first two and although he can add, in the later game you have to add two numbers as they drop from the top of the screen to the bottom and frankly I knew he would need more time to figure it out. All in all the program is a good basic skills program. Here’s what you get:
Activity #1 How Many? In this activity the child has to count the number of objects pictured and select the correct answer from four choices or press the corresponding number of the keyboard.
In part II, I will tell you all about the activities 2 though 12.